Abstract:

Micronized okara has improved functional properties and can be used to develop high value-added products.
In the present study we found that water-holding capacity, water-retention capacity and water-swelling capacity of okara
powder increased initially followed by a decrease with decreasing particle size, and water solubility, action adsorption
capacity, soluble dietary fiber (SDF) content, DPPH radical scavenging capacity and reducing power gradually increased.
The content of SDF was increased from 6.90% to 11.55% and the value of Hunter whiteness from 68.580 to 84.165 by
reducing the particle size from 60 to 300 mesh. Consequently, 300-mesh okara powder was chosen as the raw material
to develop meal replacement powder with the addition of acesulfame K and konjac flour and the formulation of meal
replacement powder was optimized by orthogonal array design. The results indicated that the optimal formulation contained
3.5 g of okara, 1.0 g of konjac flour, 0.05 g of acesulfame K and 0.01 g of vanillin. The meal replacement powder had an
obvious regulation effect on the intestinal microflora of mice which was evidenced by increased numbers of Lactobacillus
and Bifidobacterium and inhibited proliferation of Escherichia coli at the same time.

Key words: okara powder, dietary fiber, ultra-fine pulverization, meal replacement powder, intestinal microflora